While it's hard to keep your sense of humor these days with the financial situation of the country and the election coming in a few weeks, let's try anyway.

The Town of Victory has only one big humorous election story in its history that I know of, and I have mentioned it before in this column. This time, I have pictures, which I recently received among donations that show and tell the whole story.

Sixty-eight years ago, in November, 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt was running for re-election against Wendell Wilkie. Back in that era, Victory was historically a “Republican town” like most towns in Cayuga County. Our town clerk, Lena Goodsell Houghtaling, overheard Frank Blinn (also a Republican!) say that he thought Roosevelt would probably win the election.

Not liking that kind of talk from a fellow Republican, Lena suggested a bet which involved a wheelbarrow ride down the village's main street depending on who won. If Roosevelt won, Lena would give Blinn a ride and if Wilkie won, Blinn would give Lena a ride. From our history, we know Roosevelt won that fourth term and the townsfolk waited for the bet to be paid.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, 1940, Lena was all set to give Frank a wheelbarrow ride with more than 100 people watching the event. Frank, good sport that he was, was dressed up complete with old-fashioned high hat to the delight of everyone. The wheelbarrow was decorated with ribbons and the ride began.

To add to the humor, Lena started the journey down Main Street and commenced to “dump” Frank out of the wheelbarrow every few feet to keep her end of the bet, and as they say “a good time was had by all.”

I don't think there were any more election bets after that grand occasion. It was a moment in time that was talked about for years.

Please remember to vote for our next president on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.

And mark your calendar for Tuesday, Nov. 11, for our Veterans Day Services at 11 a.m. at the Victory Firehouse. All veterans everywhere are invited along with the public for this special day. The History Center will also be open after the services for an hour for anyone to visit our center and see the veterans pictures, uniforms and memorabilia.

Beverly Sayles is the Victory town historian. She may be reached at beverlycs65@gmail.com